RE: censoring films

["Rick Anderson" <rickand@unr.edu>]

> After all the rhetoric, I think Rick's reaction means the right and the
> left and the great middle (whatever that means)  have a great deal to lose
> with laws that make changing, filtering, using content for and in your own
> way and for your own purposes, legitimate reaons, impossible, illegal and
> punishable under criminal and civil law.

I think you're confusing a legal question with a moral one.  I interpreted
your posting as a moral condemnation of those who would "censor films" by
physically editing copies that they own.  There is certainly no legal
issue here -- owners of videos or DVDs are free to cut up, burn, throw
away or otherwise abuse their copies in just about any way they wish.  If
we're saying that it's morally wrong to edit them (even though it's legal)
then we should say so outright and then try to square that attitude with
one that objects automatically to any attempt to restrict consumers'
ability to make unauthorized copies (which is often, though not always,
illegal).  It seems to me like maybe we're only defending consumers'
rights when it's politically convenient to do so.

-------------
Rick Anderson
Director of Resource Acquisition
The University Libraries
University of Nevada, Reno      "I'm not against the modern
1664 No. Virginia St.            world.  I just don't think
Reno, NV  89557                  everything's for sale."
PH  (775) 784-6500 x273             -- Elvis Costello
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rickand@unr.edu